We are in the middle of very interesting times. Also historic times. We will all talk about the spring of 2020 and Covid-19 for the rest of our lives.
So what does it look like where you are? What are the people around you doing – are their lives unchanged, has it affected their jobs or their lives in some other way?
For this assignment, you will need to find a story that you can work on over the next few weeks. Since we don’t want you out in public, you will need to tell the story of the people around you. I want you to be safe and comfortable doing this project AND I want you to grow as a photographer.
The key to doing this assignment well, growing as a photographer (and getting a good grade) is going through the steps carefully.
I am open to any idea that allows you to explore a concept visually in some depth.
Two reasons the original photo story assignment started with the idea of you not photographing a friend or relative. One was to give you practice building relationships with a subject you don’t know. But two is that although it seems counter-intuitive, it is MUCH harder to make a compelling Photo Story of a friend or relative since you know them already. Conveying what you already know about someone can be very hard in photographs. So, the test becomes, can you make a visual about a friend or relative that shows you were able to step back from them and tell their story visually as if you did not know them?
Remember you need to make us care – and we don’t know your family.
I am open to any other suggestions for the photo story as long as it gives you an opportunity to spend time with the idea, and you stay safe.
ASSIGNED: Monday, March 16, 2020
DUE:
- Proposal due Tuesday,  March 17 by 11:59 pm – upload to Canvas – 50 pts
- Present your idea in class on Wednesday, March 18
- First critique on Box and Canvas by Tuesday, March 24th, by 11:59 pm – 50 ptsÂ
- Replies to posts due by March 27th by 11:59 pm
- Second Critique on Box and Canvas by Tuesday, April 7th, by 11:59 pm – 50 pts
-
- Replies to posts due by April 10th by 11:59 pm
-
- Story due: Sunday, April 26th by 11:59 pm – 150 pts (You must turn in your completed story by the start of class)
- Replies to posts due by Tuesday, April 28th by 11:59 pm
PROPOSAL: Submit your proposal by 3/17 to Canvas. Â Your idea must be approved before you move forward. You can just message me the proposal via Canvas.
Your proposal must include:
- A one-sentence summary of your story – focus on what is interesting about the story, not just the place or event or person. This should answer the question why is your story interesting – what makes it a story. Think about an angle or approach, even if you’re documenting your own family.
- The specific details – name, place, location, etc. What do you expect to capture.
- Why should we care? – what makes this story interesting to someone else
FIRST CRITIQUE: We will critique the work in progress on 3/25. At a minimum, I would like to see that you spent at least 90 minutes over the week taking photos, and shot at least 75 images. Make time to be a photographer. I don’t want to see 30 seconds here, a minute there. Put on your photojournalism hat for blocks of time. Upload to Box as usual. Your Toned should contain 4-8 images.
POST YOUR TWO FAVORITE TO THE CANVAS DISCUSSION (instructions for posting to Canvas)
After you post, return and comment on at least two other posts by students by Wednesday night.
SECOND CRITIQUE:Â We will critique the work in progress on 3/31. At a minimum, I would like to see that you spent at least 90 minutes(again) over the week taking photos, and shot at least 75 images. Upload to Box as usual. Your Toned should contain 4-8 images.
POST YOUR TWO FAVORITE TO THE CANVAS DISCUSSION (instructions for posting to Canvas)
After you post, return and comment on at least two other posts by students by Wednesday night.
STORY DUE:Â 4/26
Captions and Text: Because you are covering a personal story, you obviously know your subjects very well. Your captions should be written reflecting that. But don’t give your opinions. Use quotes and descriptions and what your family or friends say about themselves.
| NAME | IDEA | ||
| Tommy Calpin | Mom and cancer survivor | ||
| Lily LaRegina | Penn State Hershey faculty, and mom | ||
| Linden Markley | Kendall Markley, football kicker | ||
| Alli Dowe | Grace Mahalik, McLanahan’s Penn State Room | ||
| Yibing Pang | Aunt and family in Florida | ||
| Rachel Lenberger | Mom who is at risk and worried | ||
| Maita Rachid | Her neighborhood in Puerto Rico | ||
| Ariana Krammes | Mom and four-year-old sister | ||
| Lexi Elder | Grandparents | ||
| Caroline Gonzalez | parents during the move | ||
| Xueyang Li | Visiting scholar, Lin Yang | ||